Sounders place GM's fate in fans' hands

September 27, 2012|Reuters

No one can say the Seattle Sounders FC don't care about their fans.

The Major League Soccer franchise appreciates fan feedback so much that they've implemented a new ticket policy and they're also giving the faithful an opportunity to vote on the fate of the team's general manager.

The team has set Oct. 7 as the date for season ticket-holers and fan association members to cast their ballots on whether to retain or show a lack of confidence in Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer.

Comedian Drew Carey, a minority investor in the team, came up with the idea to say yea or nay on Hanauer. Voting will end Dec. 7. At least 10,000 votes are required for a valid election.

Every four years, the team will offer a similar opportunity to determine the general manager's fate. Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid have used a similar practice to elect or oust the team's president.

It's unlikely that Hanauer, a successful investor and businessman, will be voted out. The team is the most popular in MLS, averaging a league-best 42,000 per game.

Hanauer announced this week a change in the team's season-ticket pages that includes all 17 MLS regular-season games but excludes an exhibition against an international team.

That doesn't mean the team won't continue to play friendlies against international clubs such as Chelsea and Barcelona. Previous exhibitions have drawn crowds of up to 67,000 fans in CenturyLink Field.

"We've listened to our fans," Hanauer told The News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash. "We've heard -- it's, of course, mixed -- but some of the feedback is, 'We're way more interested in competitive games than exhibitions.'

"It doesn't mean we won't do a friendly. It's still possible. If there's a good opportunity with the right terms, we can do it."